According To The Wiki (from Teeth): Piano Vocal

"According To The Wiki" captures the particular genius of Jackson's songwriting: a character using humor and pop culture references as emotional armor, all while the music underneath tells a deeper story about vulnerability. The song reads fresh to contemporary audiences because it sounds like how people actually think and speak, making it an excellent teaching piece for singers learning to find authenticity in character work.

Confessional and clever. The song sits in that awkward, honest space where someone is telling you something vulnerable while making you laugh, where a character is using wit as a shield and you can feel both layers happening at once. It's the theatrical equivalent of oversharing with a friend you trust.

Singers comfortable with contemporary musical theater material and comfortable with queer narratives will find authentic character work here. This suits audition prep for students exploring modern Broadway rep, particularly those drawn to character pieces over traditional legit or belt numbers.

• Pay attention to the conversational rhythm of the lyric. The phrasing follows speech patterns rather than regular musical meter in places, so commit to the text's natural cadence before forcing it into square musical shapes.
• Balance the comic tone with genuine emotional stakes. The humor works precisely because something real is at stake for the character; find that underneath line and let it inform your delivery.
• Work with the accompanist on dynamics and texture. The piano part likely supports rather than dominates, so clarity of lyric takes priority over volume.

Consider this for a contemporary musical theater showcase or a recital exploring how modern songwriters approach character development. It pairs well with other Jackson material or with recent musical theater selections that prioritize character authenticity over spectacle. The piece works particularly effectively in educational contexts where students are studying how contemporary writers craft songs that sound like real speech.

• Singing contemporary musical theater with conversational, speech-like phrasing
• Finding emotional truth in comedic material
• Character work and emotional subtext
• Collaboration with accompanists on text clarity and dynamic balance